Executive Director of the Office of Economic Development and International Trade

Who We Are

Colorado Governor-elect Phil Weiser is committed to an administration that represents all of Colorado, and serves and protects every Coloradan. Governor-elect Weiser and his team will lead State government to ensure that we serve the people of Colorado, working to make their lives better, and together, we meet opportunities and challenges with creativity, collaboration, and compassion. His commitment to serve as the People’s Governor means that he and his team will have a sustained focus on how to make Colorado safer, more affordable, more sustainable, and a great place to live, build a business, and raise a family.

We Have Strong Core Values

Our core values drive our actions. We are: 1) principled, maintaining the highest ethical standards, acting with integrity, and operating transparently; 2) public servants, who are always ensuring our work is not about us, but instead is about improving the lives of the people of Colorado; 3) innovative, by seeking to solve problems creatively and operate with a continuous improvement mindset; and 4) "better together," by working to support each other as a team and collaborate effectively.

Department Information

The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) creates a positive business climate that encourages dynamic economic development and sustainable job growth. It advances the state’s economy through financial and technical programs under the leadership of the Governor and the Executive Director. OEDIT works to grow a resilient economy in which everyone not only gets by but thrives. Its mission is to empower all to thrive in Colorado’s economy. The office envisions a future in which quality of life keeps improving, great jobs and affordable housing are readily available, economic mobility and resiliency exist, environmental stewardship is valued by all, and international visitors abound.

OEDIT builds a strong public-private approach to economic development across the state. It monitors economic conditions and strengthens regional economies, supports entrepreneurs and small businesses, and creates quality jobs by expanding and attracting businesses. It also retains existing jobs through responsive programs and positions Colorado as a global leader in key industries.

Department: Office of the Governor; Office of Economic Development and International Trade

Position Title: Executive Director

Summary of Functions: The Executive Director is the Chief Executive Officer of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. The position is part of the Governor’s Cabinet and is responsible for overseeing the administration, programs, and strategic plan of the office and for the consistent achievement of its mission and objectives. Its purpose is to create the conditions for businesses to start, grow, and stay in Colorado and to advance economic opportunity in every region of the state. The Executive Director also serves as the Special Assistant to the Governor for Economic Development.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Oversee and manage the office’s operations and direct the implementation of its services, policies, and programs in alignment with office goals, the Governor’s initiatives, and the expectations of stakeholders

• Build and cultivate a high performing team that attracts, retains, and grows top-quality talent

• Direct and oversee the office’s budget and ensure fiscal management that operates within the approved budget, makes full use of available resources, and keeps the organization in a positive financial position

• Direct business attraction, retention, and expansion

• Direct rural economic development through the Rural Opportunity Office

• Support the Colorado Economic Development Commission’s incentive awards with staff analysis and recommendations

• Expand access to resources and capital for small businesses

• Simplify processes and remove unnecessary barriers for businesses that are starting or growing in Colorado

• Develop international trade and export markets on behalf of Colorado producers and lead foreign direct investment strategy, trade missions, and export assistance

• Advise the Governor and the General Assembly on issues affecting the business community and deliver the office’s annual report to the General Assembly

• Partner with chambers of commerce, corporations, local economic development organizations, Economic Development Districts, and Tribal governments

• Promote tourism, outdoor recreation, creative industries, and film, television, and media

• Brief the Governor’s Office on all relevant policy issues arising from state and federal legislative activities

• Build a good relationship with the legislature and serve as the point person for directing the office’s response to proposed legislation that may affect its operations

Organizational Relationships: Colorado Economic Development Commission; Office of State Planning and Budgeting; Director of Rural Advancement; Chief Housing Officer 

Preferred Education/Experience:

• A bachelor’s or advanced degree in business, economics, finance, law, public administration, or a closely related field

• Ten or more years of leadership experience in economic development, business, finance, or public administration

• Five or more years of professional executive management experience that includes setting goals and objectives and managing a budget to achieve them

• Five or more years of experience fostering effective and efficient process improvements for an organization of twenty-five or more employees

• Experience building relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders with varying perspectives and interests

• Familiarity with the federal and state laws that govern economic development and experience working with site selection professionals and foreign trade representatives

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience structuring transactions and exercising judgment on incentives that commit public funds

• Experience forming public-private partnerships across industries, regions, and sectors

• Experience developing international trade and export markets on behalf of producers

• Experience providing decision-support analysis to independent commissions

• Experience expanding capital access and supporting founders at the earliest stages of business formation

• Experience leading rural economic development in partnership with local communities

• Experience building relationships with chambers of commerce, corporations, and local economic development organizations

Conditions of employment: Applicants must pass a thorough background check prior to employment and reside in Colorado once employed

HOW TO APPLY: 

Please submit an online application for this position at buildingcoloradosfuturetogether.org. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received before the closing date.

A resume must be submitted with the application for consideration. Your resume must provide sufficient detail about your background and experience to allow the screening panel to properly assess your experience in the required elements, including your experience and achievements.

Benefits 

The State of Colorado offers a competitive benefits package to permanent employees:

• PERA retirement benefits including PERA Defined Benefit Plan, PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus 401K and 457 plans

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance coverage

• Automatic Short-Term and Optional Long-Term Disability Coverage

•  Life and AD&D Insurance

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

• Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) job protection and State of Colorado Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML)

• 11 Paid Holidays Annually and Accrued Annual and Sick Leave

• Variety of discounts on services and products available through the State of Colorado's Work-Life Employment Discount Program

To learn more about State of Colorado benefits visit: https://www.colorado.gov/dhr/benefits.

The State of Colorado is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our office will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator at [email protected].

We believe that diverse teams produce better results and encourage people of a variety of backgrounds and qualifications to apply.